Car truck



' '1May 9, 1944. w.l H. BAsExLr' l 2,348,444y

CAR TRUCK n Filed DSC. 6, 1941 3 SheVetS-Sheet l .1. .E ffy' Z i@ Z 1 26 f f 5 24` 26 @M0 i ,11i 4Z Z I 42- ,g ,1% 401 10 19k l 40 40/ www w lg@ f 4 'I f7 Y//l/l/ lll/.-

INVENTOR.'

MY 9, 1944 wJH. BASEL-r Y 2,348,444

- CAR TRUCK Filed Dec. 6, 1941 5 sheets-sheet 2 May 9, 1944. w. H. BAsELT CARTRUGK File Dect e, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV ENTOR.

Y VAs j is well understood, the ordinary Patented May 9, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAR TRUCK Walter H. Baselt, Chicago, Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 6, 1941, Serial N o. 421,908

11 Claims.

My invention relates to railway car trucks and yparticularly to a design of railway freight car truck yin common use comprising spaced side frames and a connecting bolster upon which the car body is normally supported. In such trucks the side frame structure is4 commonly of truss other wheel connecting means such as pedestal jaws. In such forms of car trucks the most common practice is for the bolster ends to be spring mounted upon spring groups commonly positioned as a unit on a spring seat of the tension member at the bottom of thebolster opening.

,In assembling the car truck the usual practice is to enter the bolster end in the bolsteropening at the bottom thereof and elevate the bolster into engagement with the column guide portions at the upper portion of the bolster opening, after which the spring group may be inserted on the spring seat beneath the bolster and the bolster lowered thereupon. Most railway freight car trucks in use at the present time follow such a `method of assembly and for this reason the bottom of the bolster opening is made relatively wide in order to accommodate the guidelugs on the sides of the bolster and the upper portionof the bolster opening is made relatively narrow in Aorder that the guide lugs on the bolster may engage guide portions on the columns. Y

The general object of my invention is to-devise such a car truck as that above described wherein VaA plurality "of spring means may be utilized of each other vand spring positioning means may be integrally formed with the side frame and bolster in order to obviate the necessityof otherwise securing the spring means. j ,l

spring group consists of four to six outer coils and a varying number of inner coils and these may 'follow a variety of arrangements, but in most all instances the springs are conned between top and bottom spring plates in order to form aunit of the spring group and facilitate its handling as such. In such an arrangement a Vnumber of added parts necessarily are requiredwhich would not be needed if the springs were otherwise maintained in position after assembly.

Another object of my invention is to provide -such means of maintaining various springs in at each springseat more or less independentlytheir proper assembled relationship on the `spring seat without 'utilizing other guide means' than those integrally formed with the side frame and bolster. v

In such an arrangement as' I propose' it will readily be understood that relatively long positioning means may be required on both the side frame and the bolster as compared with those in normal use heretofore because no restraint `will be placed upon the expansion ofthe various springs such as commonly occurs because of their connement between top and lbottom spring plates, but in order to utilize relatively long spring positioning means on the side frame and the bolster certain special features are required which are hereinafter set forth'in detail.

A dilerent object of my invention isto devise a novel form of freight car truck` comprising a side frame, a bolster spring supported thereon land normally projecting into a bolsteropening of said side frame wherein the spring guide means `on the side frame and bolster are arranged in alternate rows with the rows extendinglongithe truck. Y

A diifererityobject of my invention is to devise such a eartruck as that just described compris- 'ing a side frame member and an load carrying member havingopposedspring seats on one of which may be`` arranged 'a plurality of vspring positioning Vmeans for each spring interposed therebetween and on the other of which may be arrangedjat least one positioning means for each spring interposed therebetween, and the spring positioning `means on the respective seats being alternately arranged with respect tov each other to permit' insertion of a bolster end of `maximum depth the normalbolster opening of the side lframe. =40

same time, all of said positioning means on the respective seats may be arranged in alternate rows transversely of the truck.

In thel drawings,

Figure 1- is a fragmentary side elevation of a railway car truck embodying my invention. y

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional View through the car truck shown in Figure .1,l the section being taken substantially in the transverse vertical plane bisecting the truck as indi cated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a further fragmentary sectional View, the section being taken substantially in the horizontal plane indicated by the line 3-3 ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the bolster end showing the spring seat thereon.

Figure 5 is a view comparable to Figure 2 showing an alternateV arrangement of my novel form of car truck.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View of the truck arrangement shown in Figure 5 showing 'in plan a spring seat on the side frame, the section being taken approximately in the horizontal plane indicated by the line 6`f6tfof Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentarysi'de elevation of a further modification of my invention, and Figure 8 is a plan view of the springseat portions vof the' side frame and bolster, the side frame view being taken from the plane indicated by the line 8 8 of Figure 7 and the spring group and bolster superposed thereon.

Describing my novel arrangement in detailand referring first to the modification illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the general form of the .side frame is well known comprising the compression member 2, the tension member 4, and spaced columns .6, 6 defining with said .members the central bolsteropeni-ng 8 into which may project the end of the vbolster generally designated 9. Over the bolster opening the compression vmember 2 may have the box-section best illustrated in Figure -2 andsimilarly the tension membermay be of box-section with `the bottom .chord l0, the :top lchord l2, the outboard and -inboard walls i4 and I6. Beneath the bolster opening 8 the topchord l2 .of the tension member may be widened to form the spring .seat |71 :and saidwidened portion may be reinforced by the spaced vertical ribs 18, i3 merging with said before-mentioned walls .I4 and I6. Positioned upon the spring .seat -l'l may be the usual bolster supporting springs .diagrammatically indicated .at I9, I9. Y

In this well known form of truck the secondary truss extends through the lower portion of .each column and merges withthe spring seat of the tension .member in a portion 20 which cuts .across the. lower corner of the `bolster opening at each side thereof, the. lvform and A.arrangement of the portion 20 .being clearlyapparent from a comparison of .the views .of Figures 1 and 3. The `bolster opening `i-.is also formed with .a .relatively wide portion extending upwardly from the spring seat of the tension member forapproximately half the )length .of the column and thereabove the restricted width Aof .the bolster .opening affords a bolster guide portion 22 on eachcolumn with which may engage in the usual manner inboard andoutboard-guide lugs 24 and 25 on each side of the bolster. v:As illustrated in this modification, .the side wall of the bolster between the guide-lugs 24` and 26 isof convex form as may be seen at 23 `(Figurelf) and the column engaging faces Aof the guide lugs 24 and 26 are diagonallyarranged `(Figure 4), theY portion 22 so that `the bolster end maybe entered into the bolster opening at the bottom thereof with convenient clearance of Vsaid lug from said guide portion 22.

la line or row adjacent said edge.

Upstanding from the spring seat Il of the side frame may be the symmetrically arranged spring positioning lugs 34, 34, the said lugs being arranged in spaced pairs with the lugs of each pair aligned transversely of the frame. The central portion of the spring seat Il may be cored away in an opening at 36.

In Figure 4 is shown a bottom plan View of the end of the bolster 9 illustrating the vspring seat portion thereof generally designated 38. Downwardly projecting from said spring seat 38 may be spring positioning means in the form of lugs arranged in rows longitudinally of the bolster 9, said lugs being so constructed and arranged as to permit the bolster .end to be inserted through the widened portion at the bottom of the bolster opening 8 below the -column guide portions 22, 22 at opposite sides .of said bolster opening. In assembling or dismantling the bolster and side frame, the upstanding lugs 34, 34 on the frame are so positioned as ynot to interfere with the downwardly depending spring positioning .lugs on the bolster, the lugs on Ythe bolster, as Aalready described, being arranged in rows between which the lugs on the side frame may pass as the bolster is entered into or removed from the bolster opening. By such an arrangement I am able to use upstanding lugs on the side frame and downwardly depending lugs on the bolster of maximum length and thus insure the proper positioning and securemaintenance against loss of the bolster supporting springs. Referring again to the `downwardly depending 'lugs from the spring seat 38 on `the bolster, it may be noted that at each side of the bolster end are formed a pluralityy of arcuate lugs 48, 49, two of which may be associated with each spring 19 and the lugs 43,43 at each edge of the spring seatfbeing. arranged approximately in Intermediate arcuate lugs 42, 42, in shape similar to the 'lugs 40, may be formed on the spring seat inline with centrallugs 44, 44, each of said central lugs havingran arcuateconfiguration on opposite faces thereof for engagement with adjacent springs I9, lI9 and said lugs 42`and 44 being arranged in two rows adjacent the longitudinal center line of the bolster and spaced lfrom the two vrows ofl lugs 40, 40 to accommodate the springs i9, I3 which may Vbe positioned therebetween. 'It will thus be seen V'that a row of arcuate lugs '40, 4B is formed adjacent each edge of the bolster and intermediate rows parallel to the first-mentioned rows `are formed bythe lugs 42 and 44 with the lugs 44, 44 affording `positioning means not-only for .the central spring I9 but also for an adjacent spring with 'all of the lugs Ml, 42, and 44 arranged in rows longitudinally of the bolster. The bolster may be entered into or disengaged from thebolster opening' of the side frame without interfering with the .upstanding lugs Y34, 34 on the spring seat of the side frame, the said spring seat lugs 34, 34 normally passing 'between the rows of lugs on the bolster and thus permitting the use of relatively long lugs on both the load carrying member and the side frame member of the truck while, at the tioning means for Vthe bolster supporting springs of such size as to insure their remainingsecurely in position without the use of spring plates between which the springs would otherwise'necessarily be confined againstloss.

In the modification illustrated in Figures' 5 and 6, the arrangement of spring positioning lugs on the side frame and bolster is substantially the converse of that described for the modification illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, Figures and 6 showing the lugs up standing from the side frame positioned around the circumference of the spring and the lugs depending from the bolster centrally of the spring. In this modification the side frame structure is identical with that just described comprising the compression member |02 and the tension member |04with the spring seat |06 below the bolster opening |08 'into which may project the bolster `|I0, said bolster having a spring seat I I2 from which may depend the Vspring positioning means H4, H4; said spring positioning means being arranged in two rows each row comprising a pair of lugs H4. On`the spring seat |06 of the side frame may be positioned the springs diagrammatically indicated at H6, H6, said springs being arranged similarly to those of .the previous modification as shown in the plan view of Figure 6. The upstanding spring positioning lugs on the side frame comprise the lateral rows of arcuate lugs ||8, H8 adjacent the columns H9, H9, two adjacent lugs serving as positioning means for a single spring H6. Other positioning means on the spring seat |06 are arranged in two rows adjacent the transverse center line of the frame and include arcuate lugs |20, |20 adjacent the inboard and outboard edges of the spring seat as well as the central lugs |22, |22 which have a concave configuration on oppositefaces thereof to aiIord positioning means for adjacent springs, one of which in each case consists of the center spring. In this arrangement also the intermediate lugs |20 and |22 are positioned in two spaced rows conveniently spaced from the rows of lugs H8, H8 to accommodate the springs H6, H6 and at the same time to permit the lugs I4, H4 of the bolster to pass between adjacent rows of lugs on the side frame'in assembling or dismantling the bolster at the bottom of the bolster opening |88, the configuration of the bolster opening in this modification being identical to that ofthe previous modification with similar side frames and bolster.

In the further modification illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 I have illustrated a similar side frame structure comprising a compression member 202, a tension member 204, the spaced columns 206, 206 merging therewith to form the bolster opening 208,-said bolster opening having the same configuration as `that described for the previous modiiications with each column having adjacent the upper end thereof the bolster guide portion 2|0 for engagement with inboard and outboard guide lugs 2|2 and 2|l| formed on the side wals of `the bolster 2|6. In this modication I have utilized a greater number of spring positioning lugs on `both the side frame and the bolster for a spring group identical to that described for the previous modiiications and including a plurality of springs 2|1, 2|'|, the depending spring positioning lugs from the spring seat 2 |8 of the bolster being arranged in three rows, one adjacent each side thereof and one along the longitudinal center line of iso the bolster, while the lugs upstanding from the spring seat 220 of the side frame Aarerarranged in four rows transversely of the truck, two rows adjacent the respective 'columns 206, 206, and

-two intermediate rows, said intermediate rows being alternately positioned with respect to the before-mentioned rows on the bolster with which they must interlace in the operation of assembling or dismantling the truck parts. In the modification at present under consideration, the lugs on the side frame seat adjacent the columns thereof are designated 222, 222. Each intermediate row of lugs on the side frame comprises a lug 224 adjacent the outboard edge of the spring seat, an inboard lug-226 adjacent the inboard edge of the spring seat, and two intermediate lugs 228, 228 each having opposed concave faces affording positioning means for` adjacent springs, one of which is the center spring.

The downwardly depending lugs on the bolster are arranged in three rows as aforesaid, the row at each side of the bolster comprising an outboard lug 230, an inboard lug 232, andspaced intermediate lugs 234, 234, while the middle row on the bolster arranged along the longitudinal center line thereof comprises spaced lugs 236. 236 each of Awhich may present at opposite sides thereof concave faces affording positioning means for adjacent springs. In this arrangement it will be observed that the rows of lugs on the side frame alternate with the rows of lugs` on the bolster and the manner in which these interlace with each other is well illustrated in Figure 7 where I have shown in dotted lines at the bottom of the bolster opening 208 the bolster in its entering position designated 2|6A. In the position 2|6A it will be observed that the guide lugs 2|4A at opposite sides of the bolster conveniently clear the lower edges of the columns 2|0, 2|0 as indicated at 238,238 when the bolster lugs 230A are in position to clear `the secondary truss portion 240 of the side frame which cuts oif each bottom corner of the bolster opening.

Looking at Figure 8 it will be noted the four rows of lugs on the side frame alternately arranged with the three rows of lugs on the bolster are made up as follows, reading left to right: side frame row comprising lugs 222, 222, bolsterrow comprising lugs 230, 232, and 234, side frame row comprising lugs 224, 226, and 228, bolster row comprising lugs 236, 236, side frame row including lugs 224, 226, and 228, bolster row comprising lugs 230, 232, and 234, side frame row comprising lugs 222, 222.

While this lug arrangement is distinct from that illustrated in the two preceding modifications Which are the converse of each other, nevertheless all modifications are alike in showing rows of lugs so positioned onthe spring seats of the side frame and bolster as to permit their interlacing with each other when the parts are assembled or dismantled, thus accommodating spring positioning Vmeans of maximum length on the opposed spring seats.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

:Iclaim: i l l. Ina railway` car truck, aside frame comprising tension and compressionmembers vand spaced columns defining a bolster opening, said opening lhaving a relatively wide lower portion anda relatively narrow .upper portion defined by bolster guide faces on said columns, a bolster projecting into-said opening, springs on said tension member supporting said bolster, and spring positioning means fixed on .said tension member and said bolster, said spring positioning means being arranged in rows transversely of said vtruck to accommodate the interlacing thereof when said bolster is assembled or dismantled at the bottom of said bolster opening, said spring positioning means on said -bolster comprising side rows and intermediate rows of lugs, certain of said intermediate lugs afording support for a plurality .of springs.

2. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and spaced columns defining a bolster opening, said opening having a relatively wide lower portion and a relatively narrow upper portion defined vby bolster guide faces on said columns, a bolster projecting into said opening, springs on said tension member supporting .said bolster, and spring position'mg means fixed on said tension member and said bolster, said spring positioning means being arranged in rows transversely of said truck to accommodate the interlacing thereof when said bolster is assembled Aor dismantled at the bottom of said bolster opening, said spring positioning means on said side frame comprising side rows and intermediate rows of lugs, `certain of Ysaid intermediate lugs aiording support for a plurality of springs.

3. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and spaced columns defining a bolster opening, said opening having a relatively wide lower portion and a relatively narrow upper portion defined by bolster guide faces on said columns, a bolster projecting into lsaid opening, springs `on said tension member supporting said bolster, and spring positioning means integrally Vformed on said tension member and said bolster, said spring positioning means being arranged in rows transversely of said truck to accommodate the interlacing thereof when said bolster is assembled or dismantled at the bottom of said bolster opening, said spring positioning means on said bolster comprising a plurality Iof rows, certain of said rows including lugs affording support for a plurality of springs.

4; In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and spaced 'columns defining a bolster opening, said opening having a relatively wide lower portion and a relatively narrow upper portion defined j by bolster guide faces on said columns, a bolster projecting into said opening, springs on said tension member supporting said-bolster, and spring positioning means fixed on said tension member and said bolster, said spring positioning means being arranged in rows transversely of said truck to accommodate the interlacing thereof when said bolster is assembled or dismantled at vthe bottom of said bolster opening, said spring positioning means on said side frame comprising a plurality ofrows, certain of said rows including lugs affording Support for a plurality `of springs.

5. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and spaced columns deiining a bolster opening, said opening having a relatively wide lower portion and a relatively narrow upper portion defined by bolster guide faces on said columns, a bolster projecting into said opening, springs on said tension member supporting said bolster, and spring positioning means xed on said tension member and said bolster, said spring positioning means being arranged in rows transversely of said truck to accommodate the interlacing thereof when said bolster is assembled or dismantled at the bottom of said bolster opening whereby spring positioning means of maximum length may be utilized on said bolster and said side frame in a bolster opening of normal depth.

6. In a railway car truck, a truss sideframe having a tension member, a compression member, and spaced columns dening a bolster opening, a bolster in said' opening, opposed spring seats on said side frame and bolster, springs therebetween, and spring positioning means on said spring seats arranged in rows transversely of said truck, the rows on each spring seat comprising lateral rows' and intermedia-te rows and the rows on the side frame seat being .alternately arranged with respect to the rows on the bolster seatl to permit interlacing thereof when said bolster is inserted into said bolster opening at the bottom thereof, certain of the lugs of said intermediate rows affording positioning means for a plurality of adjacent springs.

'7. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and spaced columns defining a bolster opening, said opening having a relatively wide lower portion and a relatively narrow upper portion defined by bolster guide faces on said columns, a bolster projecting into said opening, springs on said tension member supporting said bolster, and spring positioning means on said tension member and said bolster projecting toward each other, said spring positioning means -comprising alternately arranged rows on said side frame and said bolster preventing interference thereof and affording maximum length therefor while permitting assembling or dismantling of said bolster at the bottom of said bolster opening.

8. In a railway vcar truck, a truss side .frame having a tension member, a compression member, and spaced columns dening a bolster opening, a bolster therein, opposed spring seats on said side frame and bolster, springs therebetween, and spring positioning means fixed on said spring seats arranged in rows transversely of said truck, the rows on each spring seat comprising lateral rows and intermediate rows and the rows on Vthe side frame seat bein-g alternately arranged with respect to the rows on the bolster seat to permit interlacing thereof when said bolster is inserted into said bolster opening at the bottom thereof.

9. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having a tensionv member, a compression member, and spaced columns defining a bolster opening, a bolster therein, opposed spring seats on said side `frame and bolster, springs therebetween, and spring positioning means on said spring seats arranged in rows transversely of said truck and projecting toward each other, the rows on each spring seat comprising lateral rows and intermediate rows of lugs, certain of the lugs of said intermediate rows affording positioning means for a plurality of adjacent springs, and the rows on the respective seats being so arranged as to avoid interference with each other while in overlapping relationship as said bolster is assembled or dismantled at the bottom of said bolster opening.

10. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having a tension member, a compression member, and spaced columns defining a bolster opening, a bolster therein, opposed spring seats on said side frame and bolster, springs therebetween, and spring positioning means on respective spring seats arranged in rows transversely of said truck and projecting toward each other, the rows on each spring seat comprising lateral rows and intermediate rows, said rows being so constructed and arranged on said respective seats as to permit their vertical overlapping when said bolster is positioned at the bottom of said opening without interfering with lateralv movement of said bolster with respect to said side frame in its application or removal therefrom.

11. In a railway car truck, a side frame having tension and compression members and columns defining a bolster opening, said opening having a relatively wide lower portion, a bolster projecting into said opening, said bolster having an end for cooperative engagement with said side frame columns, said end being insertable in said relatively wide portion of said opening and dismountable therethrough, opposed spring seats on said tension member and said bolster, and rows of positioning means on respective spring seats projecting toward each other and alternately arranged to avoid interference thereof in said assembling or dismantling.

WALTER H. BASELT. 

